Silo.



C. J. STAHLY.

SILO.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1914.

LMZGWQ Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET HE NokRiI "-TERS C04. PHOTO-L!THO.. WASHINGTON. 0. c.

Patented; Apr. 27, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

6 1 1 W p \Afw 5 m 6 w C. J. STAHLY.

SILO.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1914.

. J. STAHLY.

v SILO.

APPLICATION FiLED MAR. 30, 1914- Patented Apr. 27, 1915 [HE NORRIS PETERS (I)... PHOTO-117110.. WASHINGIDN. D. l;

C. J. STAHLY.

4 m vE 2% T- Pm A d m m a D1 THE NORRIS PETERS C0. PHOIOJJTHQ. WASHING TON. D. r

CHRISTIAN J. STAHLY, OF GOSHEN, INDIANA.

SILO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2'7, 1915.

Application filed March 30, 1914. Serial No. 828,345.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN J. STAHLY, a citizen of the United States, residin at Goshen, in the county of Elkhart and tate of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Silos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to silos and more particularly to a combined extension and roof structure therefor.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a novel and efiective device 1 which may be converted readily from a roof forming structure into an extension of the walls of the silo which will permit the silo to be filled to its maximum capacity after the ensilage has settled.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means operable from the base of the silo for converting the roof into a settling extension or vice versa.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a settling extension adapted to be converted into a roof and in the manner of closing the central portion of the roof, all of which is accomplished at the base of the silo.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a detail side elevation showing the parts in roof forming position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts arranged to form a settling extension. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through Fig. 2. Fig. 4C is a vertical sectional view through Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the cap and its associated parts. Fig. 7 is a detail elevation of a fragmentary portion of the roof and extension forming sections. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view showing the manner of connecting the sections with the silo. Fig. 9 is a detail horizontal section on an enlarged scale taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view showing the modified type of section mounting. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing a further modification.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents an ordinary silo which may be constructed in any suitable manner and which is preferably provided, as is usual, with a chute (not shown) inclosing suitable ladder rungs 2 and discharge openings for the ensilage. These discharge openings have not been shown but may be arranged in any suitable points throughout the height of the silo and are placed in such positions as are found most desirable by the purchaser. The upper end of the silo has secured around its circumference a plurality of brackets 3 having eyes l formed in their upper ends to receive the hinging or annular pivotal rod 5 to which the sections 6 are connected. These sections each comprise in general a substantially rectangular piece of flexible metal pivotally connected upon one side to its adjoining section by an eye bolt 7 whose eye receives the rod 5 to pivotally connect the sections to the rod so that they may have inward and outward movement, as will be readily understood. Each section is reinforced by converging angle irons 8 and 9, the latter terminating short of the lower end of the section to permit the overlapping of the ofiset end 10 by the next adjoining section.

As shown in Fig. 1, the angle iron 8 on one section is adapted to engage the angle iron 9 on the adjoining section when the sections are folded into roof forming position. The angle irons are also provided to reinforce and prevent bending of that portion of each section between the angle irons, the remaining portion extending to the left of each angle iron 9 being adapted to flex to permit of the collapsing of the sections and is here given the independent designation of wing and is especially indicated by the numeral 11. Each section is also hingedly connected to the pivoting rod or bar 5 by means of a loop hinge 12 having its terminals overlapping and being constructed of spring metal so as to permit of the rod 5 being snapped over the under terminal of the loop.

When the sections are arranged in extension forming position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the wings 11 overlap the adjoining sections just sufficiently to prevent any a point considerably above the top of the same and is braced at its upper end to the walls of the silo by the brace bars 14. Se-

' cured to the upper end of this rod or tube is an extension 15 of somewhat smaller diameter which carries an ordinary weather vane 16, as shown, and forms a support for theclosing cap 17 which has a flanged lower end 18, as shown, to engage over all of the sections, as shown in Fig. 1. This cap is supported upon a pair of diametrically opposite rods 19 secured at their upper ends to the cap and at their lower ends being inwardly offset and slidably mounted in guides 20 secured to opposite sides of a sleeve 21 slidably mounted upon the rod 13. The lower ends of the members 19 are upwardly turned so as to limit their upward movement in the guiding members 20 and carry suitable cable pulleys 22 which are preferably pivoted thereto. Passing over these pulleys upon opposite sides of the sleeve 21 are cables 23 and 24 both of which extend .downwardly over pulleys 25 and 26 upon the upper ends of the sections and over pulleys 27 and 28 upon the lower ends of the sections and thence downwardly to a common winding drumv 29 secured to the silo adjacent thebase thereof. After passing through the pulleys 22 the cables 23 and'24, are extended over pulleys 30 and 31 secured --to opposite sides of the rod 13 at its upper .end and thence passed downwardly over pulleys 32 and 33 on the sleeve 21, their ends being then attached to eye members 34 and 35 secured to the rod 13 on opposite sides thereof and at right angles to the pulleys 30 and 31.

tension forming position and assume the position shown in Fig. 1 when the sections are in roof forming position. Upon a downward pull on the cables 23 and 24 the rods 19 and the attached cap 17 will be elevated until thehooked lower ends of the rods 001116111150 engagement with the rods 20. Further upward movement of the bars independently of the sleeve 21 is thus prevented. In this position the cap member is sufficiently elevated above the sections to permit the spreading of the sections by the action of the braces 36. Upon a further downward movement of the cables the sleeve 21 will be moved vertically upon the rod 13 silage is placed in the silo through the top of the same it will settle several feet in three or four days. This makes it necessary to? again open the silo so as to fill it to the top.

In using this device the en'silage may be filled in to the top of the extension and allowed to settle which will approximately fill the silo to its top. The roof may then be closed by the reverse operation to that just described.

In the modification shown in Fig.10instead ofutilizing a circular hinge rod forthe roof sections and allowing the sections to over.- hang the upper edge of the silo the structure shown in this figure may be employed; This embodies an annular angle iron secured upon the top of adeflecting flange or band as shown. The deflecting flange or band may be mounted on top of or beneath the angle iron as is found most desirable. p

In Fig. 11 a T-iron is shown in place of an angle iron. V e What is claimed is f i 1. In a silo, a conical, sectional roof mounted thereon, pivotal connections be tween the sections and the silo, a rod passing through the roof and silo centrally thereof,

and slidably mounted upon the rod, a slidable member carried by the rod, a slidable member and the sections whereby when the slidable member is raised the sections will be forced outwardly into circular, extension formmg position.

2. In a silo,v a conical sectional roof mounted thereon, said sections being pivot ally connected together at their longitudinal edges, pivotal connection between the sections and silo, a rod passing through the roof andsilo centrally thereof, a flanged cap a cap arranged to c'overthe apex of the roof neously, and means connecting the slidable V arranged to cover the 'apexof the roof and I slidably mounted on the rod, a sleeve slidtion between said sleeve and cap, 'flexible means to elevate the cap independent of the ably mounted on the rod, a slidable connec-= i sleeve and to elevate the cap and sleeve In testimony whereof I aflix my signature simultaneously, and links pivotally connectin presence of tWo Witnesses.

ing said sleeve to said sections, whereby, CHRISTIAN J. STAHLY. when the sleeve is raised, the sections Will Witnesses:

be forced outwardly into circular extension L. BURR WHIPPER,

forming position. CHAS. A. PORTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. n v t 

